Meet our yard boy

A new job comes with a new cases, responsibilities and files to catch up on. So, Mr. has been working very long hours these days. It's all worth it though to see him with a restored passion for practicing the law. His new firm has been just what he needed, in a big way. Sometime the worst situations can have the best outcomes. You just have to have a little faith, which can be so hard when you're unsure of the outcome.

Since Mr. is gone so much now, Jackson decided it was time he learned how to help out around the house. He's very much into lending a helping hand these days. You know, things like unloading the dishwasher, folding the laundry, and sweeping the floors.

However, this weekend Jackson took his helping to a whole new level. Our little man of the house decided it was time to take care of the yard. I introduce to you, the Wilson's new yard boy. Maybe some day he'll be our pool boy too!

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Little Climber

Jackson had too much fun climbing all over our suitcases tonight. This climbing phase is making it a little hard on Momma to get much done around the house!

Who knew the suitcases could be so much fun:)

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Swim Lessons - Day 2

Jackson had his second swim lesson on Saturday. I wasn't sure how much progress he'd really make in a week, but I was pleasantly surprised. He's really starting to grasp the concept of blowing air out of his mouth - instead of drinking half the pool when he's under the water!

I stayed strong with my Mom Sexy {and forgot to bring the halter attachment to my top} sporting my two-piece. I made some progress with the other Mommas as well... or at least one of them. Her little boy is almost 2, and he's such a little fish! Our boys had fun playing and splashing with other.

Coach Maggie warned the parents that the lessons can be really tiring for the little ones. There must be some truth to that because Jackson went down for a three hour nap again this week!

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A Short Anniversary!

Today is my little sister and her husband's two-year wedding anniversary! They may disagree, but these past two years have flown by in was seems like a blink of an eye. It amazes me to think back on this special day and how so much has changed.

Just two short years ago, Mr. and I were just that. Mr. & Mrs. longing to be more. During their wedding I was in the middle of charting and Clomid hell. The Brummett girls were a mere weeks old, making their first of many road trips. And my Grandma was kicking Ovarian Cancer's butt in a serious way. They were even able to let her off of chemo for a little while to thicken her hair for the wedding:) Grandma loved her hair, and her teeth!

I'm reflecting today and realizing just all that we have to be thankful for. We never imagined that we'd have almost two full years yet to spend with Grandma. Our God is so good.

I am a mother to an amazing little boy that I dreamed and prayed for. My Mr. has a job that he loves - for the first time in his professional career. We have our health, our home, and our far from perfect life.

My sister and her husband have their dream jobs. A beautiful home. An energetic and loving puppy. And a baby on the way.

I'll say it once more, God is good! Happy Anniversary to my Short's:)

Can you tell all of these pictures were before the Canon Rebel?!?

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Double Trouble

I hope y'all had a great weekend, I'm catching up on everyone's blogs this afternoon. I love weekend recaps! It's amazing how much we can jam into two short days at home.

We were lucky enough to spend Friday night with some great friends of ours. She actually stood in our wedding and is my other Stephanie. He and Mr. share a love for LSU and all sports. They have a little boy, Hudson, that is just as cute as can be. He's 6 months older than Jackson. We're all so happy that they are finally at an age where they can actually play together.

As parents, having friends that your kids can be friends with can be a hard task. Some kids are always sick, some bite, some whine and sometimes views of parenting don't match. It's so nice to know that our friendship will extend on to our boys. We totally see Hudson and Jackson getting into loads of trouble together - from playing in the dirt at LSU tailgates to riding bikes around the neighborhood. They will be double trouble!

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Pretty in Pink

I must have had a blonde Momma moment while I was out shopping this week...Jackson needed a new pool float because his keep popping in this heat! Knowing that Jackson was going swimming today, I ran to pick up a new one over my lunch hour. This is our fourth one so far, so I knew exactly where to find them. I grabbed the box and went on my way.

I swear the picture on the box showed a blue float. But, according to text from my nanny, I guess I should have looked a little closer.

Text: Did you purposefully get Jackson a pink float?


Good thing he looks pretty in pink:)

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New shoes, new tricks

Jackson's first day with his new shoes was a success. His nanny said that he even went looking for them after his nap! I guess our three day mission was worth it. Below are some pictures of Jackson sporting his new Keds. Did I mention that this kid is crazy:)

Mr. came home from work early tonight {and by early, I mean before Jackson went to bed} so we were able to enjoy a little family time. I think Jackson was missing his daddy. They were cracking each other up tonight. Between chasing each other around the house, "walking" the puppy, and a new bath time trick - our night was bursting with laughter. We all needed a little bit of this:)

Silly boy showing off his new shoes

walking his puppy

so, so happy

waving to Daddy, "Hi-yah"

bracing himself for a walk in the 'hood in his wagon

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Shoe Mission

Now that Jackson is walking all over the place, the time has come for shoes. Especially when we're out in public places. Those fat feet aren't so sweet when they're black and covered in dirt. I've avoided putting shoes on Jackson up to this point, for a few reasons:

1. His legs are really short, so they look funny on him.
2. His feet are really chubby which makes finding a shoe for his foot really hard.
3. He's a little bow legged and shoes seem to make it worse.
4. There is something about bare feet that's just too sweet to cover up with shoes!

So after Jackson's nap on Sunday afternoon, we hit the road in a mission to find shoes. The first place we went to never measured his foot. The young sales girls were just guessing on the size of his foot. First they tired the Perfection walker made by Jumping Jacks. I have to say that these shoes had great grips on the bottom, but they were just too orthopedic looking. Not to mention, he could not walk in them, at all!

Next we tried Angel Baby walkers. These were half the price of the Jumping Jacks, but weren't wide enough for Jackson's foot. Bummer!

Then they brought out the Footmates walking shoe. These were my favorite of all the white walking shoes. Unfortunately, they did not have the correct size. Another bummer!!

Before we left this store, I had them try a pair of the Pediped shoes. I really liked all of them, they have so many styles. However, they didn't give Jackson very much support. If I would have put Jackson in shoes earlier, these would have been perfect.

Meanwhile, I had my eye on the Keds Graham Hook & Loop shoe. They are truly a classic, white leather, velcro shoe. Exactly what I was looking for. Unfortunately, the girls told me they didn't carry the wide Keds shoes until the next size up.

Seriously, back to my #2 reason for not buying shoes. His feet are hard to find shoes to fit!

Needless to say, we left that store empty handed and went to the mall to look for the Keds. Another failure! I really miss big city shopping in situations like this. By this point, the heat was getting the best of us and it was getting late. Mission aborted for the day...

I did a little research on Monday and found out about a local store that specializes in kids walking shoes. They measure their feet and try every kind of shoe to get the perfect fit. So after work, we made our way there. To my surprise, Jackson measured as a size 5 extra wide {which meant that I would have been able to get the Keds I wanted at the very first store. Those girls had guessed Jackson was a size 3.5 or 4}.

The lady was very nice and tried on a half dozen shoes. Not one sandal was wide enough. The only Stride Rite shoe they carried in his size was the cruisers which were just too funny looking with his play shorts and t-shirt. Not too mention, expensive for a shoe that he'll grow out of in a month.

Jackson and I went to two more stores looking for shoes in his size. I was ready to just give up when I remembered a friend recommending Payless. I thought what the heck, let's give it one more try. Wouldn't you know, a pair of size 5 wide, walking shoes where on the rack just waiting for us. I wrestled Jackson {he was so over trying on shoes} and got the shoes on him and he took off. He didn't trip, he didn't fall, he ran! So 100 pairs of shoes later, Payless saved the day for only $14.99!

Mission Accomplished...well almost. I went back to the first store on my lunch break on Tuesday and got Jackson the Keds. Now he has a pair a walkers for his dress clothes and casual Keds for everyday wear. I got both shoes for the price of the Jumping Jacks shoe, so does that count as BOGO:)

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Swim Lessons

After weeks of debating whether or not to put Jackson in swim lessons, we decided to give it a try. We are always in the pool. So, it is very important to me that Jackson knows how to swim...or at least get himself to the side, if he were to fall in. I work with Jackson in the pool, but I'm not a professional. I don't know about y'all, but it's hard to teach an infant to hold their breath!

I did some research and found an 8 week class with an opening on Saturday mornings. So between Coach Maggie on Saturdays and Momma inbetween, we'll see how much progress we make this summer. If anything, at least we'll have some interaction with other kids. Since we have a nanny in our home, I think this will be good for us.

The swim class consists of 7 kids, all under the age of 2, and one parent per child. We got to the pool and I got us ready for the lesson. As I took my swim cover-up off, I could sense that something wasn't right. At first, I panicked that I forgot to put my suit on. Nope, no worries there. I had my swim suit on. Jackson was in a swim diaper and his suite as instructed. So, we were good to go, but I could figure out what everyone was staring at...

Mr. figured it out before I did. They were all staring at me. I apparently didn't get the appropriate swim attire for Mommas memo. I was in a two piece. Not a string bikini, but yes, my stomach was showing. {Thank goodness I never put my belly ring back in or I would have been kicked out of the class} gasp!

I've always worm a two-piece, even 9 months pregnant and 2 weeks postpartum. Not because I think my stomach looks so great, but because I don't care. Clearly, I was the only one with this attitude. I guess some of the other Mommas need a lesson or two in Mom Sexy. Don't get me wrong, I know that not everyone can sport a two-piece. But, just because we are Mommas doesn't mean that we can't!

Okay, getting off my soapbox, and back to Jackson's lesson.

We proceeded to get in the pool for our 30-minute lesson. Jackson kicked, we floated, he went under water, and attempted to blow bubbles. We sang songs and jumped off the side of the pool. Mr. watched his rebel wife in amusement and photographed our lesson.

After class Jackson took a three hour nap! I think he was just a little exhausted, but we had fun. We're looking forward to this Saturday, and yes, I'll be in my two piece:)

Down in the meadow in a little bitty pool
Swam three little fishies and a mama fishie too
"Swim" said the mama fishie, "Swim if you can"
And they swam and they swam all over the dam

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